Italian Style Chicken Tomato Mozzarella (Printable)

Tender chicken in tomato herb sauce with melted mozzarella and fresh basil

# What You'll Need:

→ Poultry

01 - 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1.3 lbs)

→ Vegetables

02 - 1 medium onion, finely chopped
03 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
04 - 1 red bell pepper, sliced
05 - 14 oz canned diced tomatoes

→ Dairy

06 - 4 oz mozzarella cheese, sliced or shredded

→ Pantry

07 - 2 tbsp olive oil
08 - 1 tsp dried oregano
09 - 1 tsp dried basil
10 - 1/2 tsp crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
11 - Salt and black pepper, to taste

→ Fresh Herbs

12 - Fresh basil leaves, for garnish

# How to Make It:

01 - Pat the chicken breasts dry with paper towels and season both sides generously with salt and black pepper.
02 - Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Place chicken breasts in the pan and sear for 3-4 minutes per side until golden brown. Remove chicken from skillet and set aside on a plate.
03 - In the same skillet, add the chopped onion and sauté for 2 minutes until softened and translucent. Stir in the minced garlic and sliced bell pepper; cook for another 2 minutes until fragrant.
04 - Add the diced tomatoes, dried oregano, dried basil, and red pepper flakes to the skillet. Stir well to combine all ingredients and let the mixture simmer for 5 minutes to allow flavors to meld.
05 - Return the seared chicken breasts to the skillet, nestling them into the tomato sauce. Cover with a lid and reduce heat to low. Simmer for 15-20 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.
06 - Top each chicken breast with mozzarella cheese slices or shredded cheese. Cover the skillet again and cook for 2-3 minutes until the cheese is completely melted and bubbly.
07 - Remove from heat and garnish with fresh basil leaves. Serve hot while the cheese is still melted.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The sauce becomes rich and concentrated while the chicken stays impossibly tender
  • Everything happens in one pan so you spend less time cleaning and more time eating
02 -
  • Rushing the initial sear means sacrificing flavor and texture so take your time getting that golden crust
  • Simmering with the lid slightly ajar helps the sauce reduce while keeping the chicken moist
03 -
  • Let the chicken rest at room temperature for 20 minutes before cooking for even searing
  • Use freshly grated mozzarella for the best melting texture and flavor

Go back